THE country’s farm sector grew slower on a yearly basis at 3.64 percent during the second quarter of 2007, from 6.6 percent registered a year ago, as most subsectors posted slower growth during the period.

While most crop subsectors posted production gains, figures from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) show that the growth of the farm sector for the period was weighed down by the decline in the production of the poultry subsector, which used to be one of the main drivers of growth for agriculture.

Figures from BAS, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), show that poultry production for April to June this year declined by 2.18 percent, with chicken production declining by 1.76 percent.

Earlier, United Broiler Raisers’ Association (UBRA) said its members have been encountering problems in growing chicken during the second quarter of this year because of the humid weather, which can increase mortality among broilers.

Growth during the second quarter was again buoyed by the fisheries subsector, which grew by 6 percent in April to June.

The subsector, which accounted for about 27 percent of farm sector growth, was led by commercial fisheries which posted a production gain of 9 percent.

The crops subsector, which accounted for more than 45 percent of farm growth for the second quarter, also grew slowly at 3.8 percent from the 6.4 percent posted in April to June last year.

Palay production went up by 4.36 percent from April to June this year while corn contracted by 2.49 percent on a yearly basis. Palay and corn accounted for the bulk of the production of subsector in the second quarter.

The livestock subsector also grew slower at 2.8 percent from the 3.3 percent posted during the same period last year.

The mild El Niño phenomenon, as well as the abnormal weather pattern, are being cited by the DA as some of the reasons why the country’s farm sector did not grow as robustly as expected.

For January to June this year, farm sector growth settled at 3.5 percent, buoyed largely by the fisheries subsector, which grew by 7.19 percent during the first semester.

The crops subsector posted a production gain of 2.63 percent during the first semester and accounted for almost 47 percent of total farm production.

Palay production grew by 2.8 percent to 6.72 million metric tons while corn production grew by 5.69 percent.

Livestock production was up 2.58 percent in the first semester and accounted for 12.6 percent of total farm production.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap has already admitted earlier that the department would have difficulties achieving its growth target of 4.5 percent to 5 percent for the year.

Figures from the BAS distributed to reporters show that the DA has forecast a growth of 5.41 percent in the third quarter and 5.86 percent in the fourth quarter of this year.

THE country’s farm sector grew slower on a yearly basis at 3.64 percent during the second quarter of 2007, from 6.6 percent registered a year ago, as most subsectors posted slower growth during the period.

PUBLICLY listed Aboitiz Power Corp. (APC) said Monday it acquired a stake in German-led STEAG State Power Inc.  in a bid to increase its overall generating capacity and assure its customers in the Mindanao grid with better service.

JAPANESE contractor Takenaka Corp. has agreed to resume work at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (Naia-3), Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza said Monday.

LAST week, the board of directors of Security Bank Corp. (SBC) held its meeting in Davao City, the first time it did so outside of Metro Manila. Following this, the officers and directors, led by SBC chairman Frederick Dy and SBC president and chief executive officer Alberto Villarosa, met with key clients at a cocktail and concert held especially for them.

MILITANT fisherfolks on Monday slammed the International Oil Pollution Board (IOPC) for awarding P118 million to Petron Corp. to cover for the expenses incurred by the oil giant in cleaning up the oil spill off Guimaras Island, while rejecting the claims of close to 100,000 victims of the oil spill.

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has poured a hefty P11 billion in foreign-assisted projects into Mindanao to realize President Arroyo’s vision of turning the war-torn region into the country’s food basket and major producer of export-quality farm products.

MORE and more Filipinos are looking for greener pastures abroad and their most common destination is New Zealand, according to the latest data from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) which it secured from the Commission of Filipino Overseas.